RealGM

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/crate.html

This just confirmed my observation while watching the highlights of the Pacers summer league team's first practice. I thought it was just nothing, Stephenson being in the top key, directing plays but he confirmed it in the latest edition of the Pacers Crate that he's playing the point, and he CAN play the point.
Lance's got some decent ball handling abilities even if you YouTube or Google it, and he likes it best when he's the one in control of the ball.. the question is, will he be able to use his ball handling abilities to make plays and can he control and share the ball at the same time? Lance's been known as a dominant player, someone who feels and knows that he's the go-to-guy, to be able to make this team and prove all his doubters wrong, he should work with the team and i think he did that in the first practice. I think there is a good chance we'll keep him. And Magnum Rolle too.
If Paul George turns into a good SG, and Lance to a capable PG, man, this would be one of the best drafts we ever had.

Stephenson
George
Granger
?
Hibbert

I'm lovin it.

That sounds awesome.
Imagine if Stephenson could turn into a solid starting point guard.
That lineup looks great to me.

It's going to be a tough transition. Its hard enough getting guys like TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack to get better at pure point.

^ definitely. but i think it's either just experimental or maybe Bird is trying to build a team of basketball players who play regardless of position. Stephenson could bring up the ball, no question about it. But the problem is, will he be able to develop court vision and playmaking skills?
He's got serious size and strength advantage at the point guard position, and comes with an innate ability to score and create shots. He's been a scorer all his life and that would be the biggest transition - to be able to share the ball and create opportunities for others.
If this experiment will not work out, we're still lucky to have him at SG as a reliever and maybe a starter soon.
Correct me if i'm wrong but the only thing that hinders Stephenson is his attitude.

Well we'd still have to get a starter.

I wouldn't mind trying stephenson out in the 2nd unit with Dunleavy, since Dunleavy can handle setting up the offense. Gives stephenson experience at that position, while not being responsible for actually running an offense. Let him handle fast breaks and bring the ball up the floor.

Starters - Farmar? Rush/Granger/Murphy/Hibbert

Bench- Stephenson/Dunleavy/George/Hansbrough/Foster

Has potential.

Moooose wrote:^ definitely. but i think it's either just experimental or maybe Bird is trying to build a team of basketball players who play regardless of position. Stephenson could bring up the ball, no question about it. But the problem is, will he be able to develop court vision and playmaking skills?
He's got serious size and strength advantage at the point guard position, and comes with an innate ability to score and create shots. He's been a scorer all his life and that would be the biggest transition - to be able to share the ball and create opportunities for others. If this experiment will not work out, we're still lucky to have him at SG as a reliever and maybe a starter soon.
Correct me if i'm wrong but the only thing that hinders Stephenson is his attitude.

I think that will be the tricky part. He has a scorers mentality and thats a tough thing to shake.

if he can bring the ball upcourt against pressure and if he can defend the point, the OB's offense will take it from there. He really doesn't want the point guard to dribble out top and break down the defense. Unlearning that is what TJ has struggled with. OB wants the point to pass the ball to the wing or the post and then get in motion. I'm hoping we move Hibbert a little higher and play more inside out. I know Hibbert will get the ball to cutters which minimizes Stephenson's need to learn that skill.

meant to start this thread yesterday. very excited about stephenson at the point. this guy is an elite talent.

Wizop wrote:if he can bring the ball upcourt against pressure and if he can defend the point, the OB's offense will take it from there. He really doesn't want the point guard to dribble out top and break down the defense. Unlearning that is what TJ has struggled with. OB wants the point to pass the ball to the wing or the post and then get in motion. I'm hoping we move Hibbert a little higher and play more inside out. I know Hibbert will get the ball to cutters which minimizes Stephenson's need to learn that skill.

Maybe that's the plan. Should we fail on landing a starting PG, Lance could spend some time at the PG spot, but not really as a full-time PG. Maybe we're grooming Stephenson to be a Combo Guard instead. He's got the strength and the size to be an SG, and the handles to be a PG, though he lacks court vision. But as long as he can cross the halfcourt well, i think he'll be just fine, and could eventually earn the spot if he learns the system. He could be a bigger, more talented version of last year's Luther Head.
I have faith in Stephenson, he could've been a first-round pick if he went back for another year in college and prove his doubters wrong. But nonetheless, i'm glad we have him.

He doesn't lack court vision he just needs to learn to pass the ball more and drive or shoot when it is necessary. O'brien probably isn't the right guy to learn that from. Pacers are gonna be a below average team as long as O'brien is still our coach.

Indy2thaWindy wrote:He doesn't lack court vision he just needs to learn to pass the ball more and drive or shoot when it is necessary. O'brien probably isn't the right guy to learn that from. Pacers are gonna be a below average team as long as O'brien is still our coach.

That's court vision. Understanding and assessing the situation and knowing what to do.